This school district has learned how to use Computrace to track over 6,000 macbooks, successfully – and securely – implementing a laptop program that supports the education program. You will have a chance to learn about everything from grant approvals to theft rates and even recovery stories!

Head on over here to learn more and to register to watch.

The laptop was allegedly stolen from the home of an AISD employee in December by the teen’s older brother, already incarcerated for the burglary. Though the burglar was caught, the location of the laptop remained a mystery.

Using the Absolute Software’s tracking and forensic service, police were able to pinpoint the location of the laptop when it was being used by the teen to check his email and to browse the web. Absolute’s tracking solution became a valuable tool to the police to locate the missing laptop.

When a laptop goes missing, particularly a corporate one that may have sensitive information, our corporate Computrace series of products can not only help in the search process but can be a valuable asset to keeping data safe. Using our remote wipe system, any lost computer that goes ‘online’ can be remotely triggered to clear the system, wiping any sensitive information that may be online. To learn more, read here.

First up, an interview with Stephen Broscoe of Absolute Software for GeekNews. Stephen talks about the new partnership, explaining how LoJack for Laptops works with Intel AT to lock down missing laptops. You’ll also get some handy information about many of the purchasing methods for our software – and you can, of course, find more on that here.

This second segment is with iGizmoMag interviewing Richard Cohen. This interview gives you a good primer into how our software works as well some insight into how much else is often recovered when a laptop is found (I bet you never thought of that part!):

“My laptop has everything on it – my music, my papers, tons of photos. Until it was stolen, I hadn’t realized how much I relied on it. I couldn’t even check my email!” Fortunately, before Stefanie headed off to fall semester, her father Steve Strom had obtained a subscription to Absolute’s LoJack for Laptops as protection for the computer.

Stefanie filed a police report then contacted the Absolute Theft Recovery Team. Almost immediately, Stefanie’s missing laptop contacted the Absolute Monitoring Center and reported its location – Willingboro, New Jersey. Using information sent from the computer, Dover detectives obtained arrest warrants for three individuals in Willingboro who were subsequently arrested by investigators in New Jersey. While arresting the alleged thieves, Stefanie’s computer was recovered and has now been returned to her.

According to Stefanie’s father, “Our experience with Absolute has been amazing. For a university student like my daughter, a laptop computer is more than just a computer, it’s an investment. I have no idea how Absolute works their magic in the background, but the results really say it all; Stef has her computer back and police have three very bad people in custody.”

The three success stories include:

1. The Yom Kippur Burglaries: Jeffrey’s Laptop Theft Story – A laptop, among other possessions, was discovered stolen after a weekend away. Jeffrey was a victim of a string of break-ins over the holidays. Jeffrey’s laptop was recovered and 4 arrests made!
2. I Bought It From ‘Some Guy’: Niyonu’s Laptop Theft Story – LoJack helped trace a stolen computer to a computer repair store. Not only was the laptop recovered, but investigators now have more information in their burglary investigation.
3. Dorm Room Rip-Off: Stefanie’s Laptop Theft Story – This story tells of a computer stolen from a dorm at Delaware State University and transported to New Jersey. Three arrests were made and the laptop recovered.

Here’s a quote from Jeffrey Alexander, the customer whose theft is featured in the first story:

“After thieves broke into my home and made off with my laptop, I really never expected to see it again, let alone catch the criminals who had it. I wasn’t aware at the time, but as soon as I reported the theft to my local police and Absolute’s Theft Recovery Team, an amazing investigation began. Not even four full days after I reported the theft, Absolute’s technology had led police to the home of an alleged thief where my laptop was recovered – along with four other laptops, a large quantity of drugs and cash. Not only did I get my laptop back, the investigation also resulted in four arrests! I can’t really imagine a better result.”

Learn, in each case, how the Absolute Theft Recovery team was able to work with investigators to recover the stolen laptops. In each story, the Recovery Team provides some commentary on the case and how Absolute Software can help you in similar situations.

You can read the rest of the details of these stories from the press release on Yahoo. Then head over to learn more about how LoJack for Laptops can work for you.

Also, if you’re going to be in San Francisco for MacWorld or Las Vegas for CES, come stop by the Absolute booths!!

Meet Absolute at MacWorld Expo

Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco
Booth: 325
Dates: Tuesday – Friday, January 6 – 9, 2009
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Meet Absolute at CES

Location: Las Vegas Convention Center
Booth: 36808, South Hall
Dates: Thursday – Sunday, January

“We are seeing a rapid increase in the number of computer thefts reported to our Theft Recovery Team.” – John Livingston, Chairman and CEO of Absolute.

Although some of the growth in the figures can be attributed to more Absolute customers, the team believes some of this is due to the current economic situation. With theft on the rise, there is undoubtedly going to be an increase in identity theft and data breaches.

Of course, with more laptop losses being reported to Absolute, there are more great success stories to share about Absolute’s recovery efforts. As part of the press release, several mini case studies of recent stolen computers were featured.

Absolute Software helps protect thousands of computers for consumers and businesses alike. Computrace helps businesses track computers, manage software, and recover lost computers. It adds a much needed layer of data protection that should be considered in these risky times.

*For complete details on $1000 Service Guarantee, see http://www.absolute.com/Service_Agreement.pdf

In 2006, a Federal agency realized that its higher profile meant that they needed to increase existing data and computer security measures. Government regulations require that data breaches be reported with, and dealt with, quickly. With these two considerations in mind, the agency began a pilot project in 2007 with 3,500 computers. After the success of the pilot project, they purchased 30,000 licenses of Computrace to protect their entire laptop population.

The agency can now inventory computers in the field, report on installed software, and delete classified data if computers go missing. For more information about Computrace, read here.

For more case studies from Absolute Software, check out here.

Kent School District began introducing notebook computers into its programs back in 1998 – schools with access to mobile technologies and new instructional strategies have performed very well in the district. With laptops spread across the district’s 40 buildings, there were a number of IT challenges in keeping track of those assets. After beta testing Computrace on 90 tablet PCs, Kent SD has now implemented the system across its entire 12,000+ notebook and desktop population.

Before Computrace, Kent SD would assign 10 people to do an inventory check – a process that took 3 months out of every year. Now, Kent SD can run a 5 minute report from Computrace and know where all of the 12,000+ computers are.

Computrace is more than just a theft deterrence product, but with a district of this size, theft was also a consideration in choosing the service from Absolute. After thieves broke into a school facility and stole 30 computers, Computrace was used to track the computers back to the thieves, who are now facing charges. In another theft situation, the remote data delete was used to ensure sensitive information would not breach.

To read more about Kent SD’s IT challenges, and their solutions, check out the full case study here.

For more case studies from Absolute Software, check out here.

John Livingston, CEO of Absolute Software, notes:

“The ability to track computers off the network, physically recover missing computers and remotely delete sensitive information with the assurance that the data has not been accessed by criminals is essential for true compliance with data protection regulations.’

The ability to determine if information has been accessed provides visibility and accountability in the event of a data breach. Organizations will be able to prove that they have removed sensitive information from lost computers (via the remote data delete) and will also be able to prove that the lost information is safe.

This new service helps companies confirm compliance with data privacy regulations, and can also aid in the breach fallout with stakeholders. By demonstrating that data is safe, an element sorely missing from most breach notification announcements, companies can retain the trust and security of their valued stakeholders.

Tags: absolute software, computrace, it security, data security, compliance, forensic auditing, auditing, data breach, it asset management, it security, business security, laptop security